For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Gina Fasolo, 224-283-5671 | [email protected] Day of Contact: Sandy Nash: 618-974-9010 | [email protected]
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For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Gina Fasolo, 224-283-5671 | [email protected] Day of Contact: Sandy Nash: 618-974-9010 | [email protected] SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AIRPORT TO HOST PLANE PULL TO BENEFIT SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS Participants test ‘tug-of-war’ skills by pulling 30-ton plane MURPHYSBORO, Ill. – Teams of local law enforcement agencies, SIU students and alumni and the general public will participate in a larger than life tug-of-war challenge beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 6. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Southern Illinois Airport (556 N. Airport Rd., Murphysboro). Special Olympics Illinois and the Law Enforcement Torch Run have collaborated with the Southern Illinois University School of Aviation to host the 3rd annual Southern Illinois Plane Pull. They will face off with Southern Illinois University Aviation’s 737 for the benefit of Special Olympics Illinois. **New this year, the Southern Illinois Plane Pull will be featured during the Southern Illinois AOPA Fly-In. ** Each participant must raise a minimum of $50 and teams can have up to 10 members ($500 for a team of 10). Teams will compete by pulling the aircraft 12 feet as quickly as possible. Individuals who would like to participate but do not have a full team are welcome at the event! This year, the event will feature a walk-up teams for individuals to join the morning of. Awards are given to the fastest pull in each division, fastest pull overall, and top fundraising team. Join the conversation, on October 6, by using #IllinoisPlanePull Teams compete in one of three different divisions: Open Division (ideal for companies, school teams, gyms, CrossFit’s, clubs, friends and families) Public Safety Division (law enforcement officers, fire fighters, paramedics, DNR, DOC and military personnel; teams need at least 5 public safety competitors to qualify) SIU Division (a division created solely for students and staff of Southern Illinois University. Participants with a valid SIU Student ID can participate for only $30). The 2018 Southern Illinois Plane Pull is presented by SIU School of Aviation and the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run. The event is hosted by Southern Illinois Airport. Other sponsors are WSIL-TV, River Radio, and the Southern Illinoisan. Special Olympics Illinois 605 E. Willow St., Normal, IL 61761 Tel 309-888-2551 Fax 309-888-2570 www.soill.org Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the single largest year-round fundraising vehicle benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Illinois. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® has raised more than $47 million over 32 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. ### 2 | Special Olympics Illinois .